OFFICER, 2 OTHERS FACE SMUGGLING CHARGES

San Diego 
Three people, including a border officer, were arrested and charged Friday with conspiring to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States and receiving bribes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Hector Rodriguez, 45, was arrested while on duty at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He worked for four years as an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officials said.

The other defendants — Gerardo Rodriguez, 42, and Vanessa Moya, 29 — are accused of driving cars containing undocumented immigrants from Mexico into the United States through an inspection lane manned by Hector Rodriguez.

The border officer is accused of alerting the others of his work schedule, including the lane number to which he was assigned as the primary inspector on a particular date and time.

Prosecutors contend that Hector Rodriguez entered false information about the drivers’ identity and the vehicles into U.S. Department of Homeland Security records. All three defendants are accused of receiving thousands of dollars in smuggling fees from their illegal passengers.

Gerardo Rodriguez is also believed to have provided the officer with luxury vehicles, paid rent on an apartment and other bribes. It is not clear whether the men are related.

All three defendants, who face charges including conspiracy, bribery and bringing undocumented immigrants into the country for financial gain, are expected to make their first appearance in federal court Monday.

Chris Maston, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, said the agency stresses integrity among its employees, most of whom perform their duties with honor and distinction.

“We do not tolerate corruption within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigations of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel,” Maston said in a statement.

Since 2004, more than 120 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been indicted nationally on various corruption charges. The agency oversees Border Patrol and other border law enforcement agencies.

Two brothers, both former Border Patrol agents, are on trial in a separate case accused of running a smuggling ring that transported undocumented immigrants across the international border.

Raul and Fidel Villarreal have pleaded not guilty in San Diego federal court to conspiracy, smuggling, money laundering, witness tampering and other charges.

In June 2006, both men suddenly resigned their jobs and went to Mexico. Prosecutors said the brothers had been tipped off that they were the target of a federal investigation.

A prosecutor has said that Raul, who joined the Border Patrol in 1995, set up the smuggling ring in April 2005. A few months later, he recruited brother Fidel, who joined the Border Patrol in 1998.